--- title: "Wednesday Buzz: Budget Tips for Community Associations" id: "30639" type: "post" slug: "wednesday-buzz-budget-tips-for-community-associations" published_at: "2015-10-14T20:52:28+00:00" modified_at: "2026-11-09T17:50:39+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2015/10/14/wednesday-buzz-budget-tips-for-community-associations/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2015/10/14/wednesday-buzz-budget-tips-for-community-associations.md" excerpt: "Learn how to stretch your organization’s finances to avoid bending over backwards to balance the books." taxonomy_category: - "Marketing / Communications" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "budgeting" - "Business" - "community associations" - "financial tips" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_persona: - "Association Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Wednesday Buzz: Budget Tips for Community Associations With 2016 approaching, finance teams at community associations are dusting off their accounting books to plan next year’s budget. Just in time, *Chicago Tribune* reporter Pamela Dittmer McKuen has come up with [a list of tips and tricks (opens in a new tab)](http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/realestate/ct-mre-1018-condo-living-20151012-column.html) for community groups from real estate and financial veterans. Being proactive and starting early are central in planning a budget, and capitalizing on the opportunities that early action affords can result in some tangible benefits, McKuen writes. In working with contractors, for example, “if you have been happy with the service you receive, take advantage of early-bird pricing,” Craig Finck, vice president at Alliance Association Bank, said. Joel Garson, president at Hillcrest Property Management, highlighted the importance of investing in things that pay off in the long run, such as switching to longer-lasting LED lighting or hiring an energy consultant. And like all organizations, community associations need to keep an eye out for new, underdeveloped revenue streams—for example, from pet fees or penalties for violations of community rules, McKuen writes. ### Tweet of the Day > Beware of these 4 Association PR Nightmares [#Eventprofs (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Eventprofs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > ! [http://t.co/RxXy0IY6nu (opens in a new tab)](http://t.co/RxXy0IY6nu) > by [@christinagsmith (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/christinagsmith?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [#pr (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/pr?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [pic.twitter.com/sbBlxqe8W3 (opens in a new tab)](http://t.co/sbBlxqe8W3) > > — Skift Meetings (@SkiftMeetings) [October 14, 2015 (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/SkiftMeetings/status/654304541563863041?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) Everyone wants their association’s public image to shine. Unfortunately, all associations face bad publicity once in a while. When you do, make sure you respond well. [Event Manager Blog has some advice (opens in a new tab)](http://www.eventmanagerblog.com/association-conference-pr-nightmares) on how to keep a bad event from tarnishing your organization’s reputation. ### Other Good Reads **Microsoft has announced its latest investment,** but it has nothing to do with the company’s core businesses. [The tech giant has announced (opens in a new tab)](http://observer.com/2015/10/microsoft-to-donate-3-million-to-nyc-education-non-profits-at-flagship-opening/) a large donation to New York City education nonprofits, in honor of the opening of its flagship store in Manhattan. **Looking to bring your association to the rest of the world?** Four destination marketing organizations have come together [in this Successful Meetings post (opens in a new tab)](http://www.successfulmeetings.com/News/Destinations/International/Destinations-Partner-to-Help-Associations-Expand-Internationally/) to provide associations the resources they need to expand their reach. **Associations in Spokane, Washington**, are worried a new proposition to raise the minimum wage will deter donors, [KREM’s Kaitlin Loukides reports (opens in a new tab)](http://www.krem.com/story/news/local/spokane-county/2015/10/13/minimum-wage-increase-would-impact-non-profits/73902876/) . (Violka08/ThinkStock) [Eli Zimmerman](https://associationsnow.com/author/eli-zimmerman/) Eli is studying Journalism at the University of Maryland. When not studying, he likes to relax with a nice book or a couple rounds at the local boxing gym. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/eli-zimmerman/) Tags: [#budgeting](https://associationsnow.com/tag/budgeting/) [#Business](https://associationsnow.com/tag/business/) [#community associations](https://associationsnow.com/tag/community-associations/) [#financial tips](https://associationsnow.com/tag/financial-tips/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [PodcastAssociations NOW Presents: More Than Marketing: The Power of Strategic CommunicationsJuly 30, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/07/30/associations-now-presents-more-than-marketing-the-power-of-strategic-communications/) - [PodcastAssociations NOW Presents: Why Slower Marketing Can Drive Stronger Member Engagement (Episode 27)June 25, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/06/25/associations-now-presents-why-slower-marketing-can-drive-stronger-member-engagement-episode-27/) - [TemplateMembers onlyBudget Section, ASAE Focus Framework New-Product ProposalFebruary 23, 2015](https://associationsnow.com/2015/02/23/budget-section-asae-focus-framework-new-product-proposal/) - [TemplateMembers onlyNarrative Section, ASAE Focus Framework New-Product ProposalFebruary 20, 2015](https://associationsnow.com/2015/02/20/narrative-section-asae-focus-framework-new-product-proposal/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2015%2F10%2F14%2Fwednesday-buzz-budget-tips-for-community-associations%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !